08/15/18 Responses to NBC12 Interview Questions

 

Press Release: Joe Walton for Congress Responses to NBC12 Interview Questions

For Immediate Release: 08/15/2018
Joe Walton for Congress – VA 7^th District
804-476-0768
press@joeforvirginia.com

Joe for Virginia Responses to NBC12 Interview Questions
Joe for Virginia is happy to have an opportunity to talk to all media.

Powhatan, Virginia: Allison Norlian of NBC12 in Richmond recently held interviews with Representative Brat and Democrat-nominee Spanberger but did not initially include our campaign.  However, after requesting an opportunity to interview, she graciously contacted our campaign and Joe responded to her interview questions in writing though not on-camera at this time.

She has indicated she will represent our campaign’s responses on-air when the segment is created.  For that we are very appreciative!

We include below Joe’s answers to her questions and are ready, willing, and able to be interviewed on-camera in the near future and as the campaign unfolds.

Why do you think the 7th District has gone from Republican leaning to a tossup?

Primarily because of the voters’ dissatisfaction with Representative Brat’s policies and inadequate constituent services.  He has failed to hold town halls and interact in a meaningful and open way with the residents of the district and he has advocated for backward economic policies which have ballooned the deficit and debt.

Secondarily, voters are rightly concerned about the lack of oversight from Congress on the executive branch.  The President and his cabinet have behaved in ways that are both appalling, immoral, and unethical and which remain to be seen whether criminal – although there have already been dozens of indictments and several guilty pleas.

One of a representative’s most important roles is holding the bureaucracy and executive branch accountable to their constituents, that means constituent services to navigate the bureaucracy and oversight of the executive branch.

Do you see it as a tossup?

He sees it as a toss-up that still leans Republican.  The Spanberger campaign must understand it is a Republican leaning race, as well, because they didn’t want President Obama’s endorsement, or perhaps Spanberger campaign wasn’t deemed endorsable by President Obama.

Our campaign is focused on the traditional Republican voters who are unhappy with Brat and the center-left voters who realize Spanberger is too liberal for them.  We are aiming to win in a plurality.

Do you think it being a tossup will benefit you? How?

Yes, because the toss-up status is a reflection of the dissatisfaction with Representative Brat and President Trump.  Our campaign and Joe’s focused is as a sensible centrist and a proven representative in central Virginia.  He was successful as a member and Chair of the Powhatan Board of Supervisors that demonstrates his interest and ability to effectively represent Virginians and that is what a competitive 7th District needs.

Why did you decide to run for this position?

Because he is disappointed in the poor representation of the 7th District and Virginia offered by Representative Brat.  Representative Brat is not providing forums to listen to and consider the voters and he is not holding the President and the secretaries and administration accountable for appalling and potentially criminal behavior.

He has two daughters and wants to be a part of working collaboratively with constituents and leaders around the state and nation to move our communities and economy forward in a quickly changing global environment.  He has the knowledge and passion to do that and a proven record in central Virginia of having done so.

What do you think hasn’t been done in the last few years that Congressman Brat has been in the position?

Maintain any semblance of regular interaction with the constituents of the 7th District and hold the executive branch accountable.  Representative Brat has supported policies which are economically unsound (protectionist trade) and worsen the deficit with no end in sight.

What would you do to fix what you deem as a problem?

He would be a part of changing the leadership of the House to more rigorously investigate the executive branch.  He would be a part of efforts to reign in federal spending and fix Social Security and improve Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act.

What is your background?

He was raised in Chesterfield and has lived in central VA all his life.  He was a member and Chair of the Powhatan Board of Supervisors from 2007-2011 and he has been active in central Virginia for many years, most notably with the 5th Wall Theatre company and other community efforts.  He has a Master of Public Administration degree and is in dissertation-phase for his Ph.D. in Public Policy all from VCU.  Personally, he is a single father of two wonderful little girls and a technology professional.

If elected, what would be the first thing you tackle?

Electing a Speaker of the House other than Paul Ryan or Nancy Pelosi and then embarking on dogged pursuit of fact and accountability of the executive branch.  In the District, he would hold town halls regularly in all corners of the district and start a road tour of the district with town halls in January of 2018.

Why should people vote for you?

Because he is a knowledgeable and passionate public servant with a proven record as a sensible centrist.  The 7th District needs an effective leader that is socially inclusive and fiscally responsible.  That candidate is Joe Walton.  He has an extensive website with his principles, policy, and background at: joeforvirginia.com

About Joe for Virginia: Joe Walton is a candidate for Virginia’s 7^th Congressional District and a proven accountable and effective leader in central Virginia.  He is a sensible centrist with a genuine interest in working with constituents, leaders across the state, and federal peers to solve problems in Washington.  He believes in and advocates for socially inclusive and fiscally responsible approaches to public policy.  He holds a Master of Public Administration degree and is a Ph.D. student in Public Policy at VCU’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.

Learn more: Web: www.joeforvirginia.com | Twitter: @joeforvirginia | Facebook: @joeforvirginia

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